In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below)as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here. Thank you for taking part.”
Here is a link to Keith’s post https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2022/11/21/kreative-kue-387/
The Photo.
60 Minutes by John W. Howell © 2022
“So you are the head tortoise.”
“Yup.”
“I wonder. Do you have a name?”
“I do.”
“Uh, could you share it?”
“Tom.”
“Tom the tortoise?”
“Just Tom.”
“What makes you the head tortoise?”
“Oldest.”
“How old are you?”
“Not sure.”
“How do you know you are the oldest?”
“Been told.”
“By whom?”
“The second oldest.”
“I guess I could ask how the second oldest knew he was the second oldest, but I imagine the answer would be, He was told by the third oldest.”
“Yup.”
“I’m doing this interview for the show 60 Minutes. Ever hear of it?”
“Nope.”
“Our viewers are interested in information about things. For example, we heard you tortoises live a long time.”
“Yup.”
“Erm. Do you have any secrets?”
“Who doesn’t?”
“To a long life, I mean.”
“Stay away from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol.”
“You gotta be kidding. Where would a tortoise get drugs, tobacco, and alcohol?”
“Can’t.”
“So your advice is hollow.”
“Yet I’m the oldest of the old.”
“I suppose you have a point.”
“Damn right.”
“What’s that in your mouth?”
“Grass.”
“Ah ha.”
“For heaven’s sake.”
“You said no drugs.”
“Tallgrass. No news here. Sorry, Leslie.”
Fiction Favorites 
Can’t help but giggle through this 🙂 Fun stuff, John.
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Thank you, Dale. Glad you liked it.🤗
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I did!
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Having said all that, he does look a bit spaced out, doesn’t he? Big tortoise, that one, as I recall – from what I could find out, he was a Giant South African Leopard Tortoise. He was hanging around inside the structure where we burned wood for hot water in South Africa, and it was my job to get him out. From memory, he was about 22 inches across the widest part of his carapace, and man, was he ever heavy!
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You have the greatest experiences, Keith. The tortoise and burning wood for hot water? Who does that?
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It was a small gathering of huts in the middle of a wildlife reserve a few miles from Kimberley. We had a similar arrangement in the compound we used on the road contract in Tanzania.
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Sounds cool. “On safari in Tanzania. Lost my corkscrew and had to survive on food and water for three weeks.”
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😂😂
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😁
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks, Michael. 😁
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What a wonderful conversation. What a wonderful conversation, and there is definitely a difference between smoking and chewing grass, as well as the kind of grass.lol Have a beautiful week, John! xx Michael
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Have a beautiful week as well. 😁
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Thanks, John! xx Michael
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😁
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Mind your business, don’t goad the bobcats, stay out of the bright sun. Probably would lead to a longer life.
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And stay away from black holes. Thanks, Craig.
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Just move so slow that time forgets you’re around. That’ll get you to two hundred. You’ll be a physical wreck, but you’ll be somewhat alive.
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Good advice, Charles. 😁
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haha, for the first time, you and I had a similar thought on a story here. (Mine was only a one-liner though. I don’t seem to get past that.)
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One liners are sometimes the best. Thanks, GP.
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Ha ha ha! That’s a new version of ‘who’s on first’!
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I think all of life is a version of ‘who’s on first.’ Thanks, Pamela.
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A wise tortoise of few words, sage advice, and a nice splash of tongue-in-cheek!
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Shake well and serve over ice. Thank you, Mae. 🤗
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😁
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😊
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Very droll!
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Me and my drollmobile. Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John. I much prefer a drollmobile to a Bentley.
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Ha ha ha. 😁
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Good one, John. 🙂 I think he’s proof that the folks from Muskogee live longer.
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That could well be true, Tim. Thanks.
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I would have loved to be present for that interview. Satire in your hands is always funny. Great one, John. 😄
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Thank you, Gwen. 😁
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Without jumping to conclusions I am thinking about my reaction to this interview. I am going to find a warm spot in the sunshine and contemplate…
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Grab three flies and enjoy.
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The Grand Old Tortoise knows all, including how to handle an interviewer. A very good skill to possess!
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Yes. The best skill when talking to Leslie Staul.
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LOL! Not a very talkative chap was he. Fun interview, John!
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He is a tortoise of a few words. Thanks, Deborah.
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So, since I don’t for drugs or tobacco, can I expect to live 2/3 as long as Tom?
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Only if you hibernate all winter
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Oh 😦
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Yeah.
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Hahaha!
That tortoise ain’t wrong!
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Nope.
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Haha!
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Lol! Thanks for the grins, John! 🙂
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Glad you liked it, Jan.
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Nice clean living, huh? Works for me! Good job, John!
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Yup.
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Lol! Great job, John!😉
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I’m glad you liked it. Hope Dad is better.
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He is…thanks, John. xo
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Excellent.
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My first thought when I looked at the photo was a tortoise smoking weed or some other substance—precisely where you ended up.
That was fun, especially learning Tom found out he was the oldest from the second oldest.😃
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Thanks, Pete.
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Haha, it does look like a tortoise with a “funny” cigarette in his mouth!
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Well done on the prompt, John. I loved the age, or I should say non-age.
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😊
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[…] 60 Minutes by John W. Howell © 2022 […]
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